Interlocking panel shelter

ABSTRACT

A wall unit and a roof unit each comprising a plurality of edge interconnected panels joined by removable joining strips or hinges. Each roof panel overlies and is engaged with portions of two subjacent wall panels, and each wall panel underlies and is engaged with portions of two overlying roof panels whereby an interlocked structure is provided utilizing, if so desired, no screws, bolts, nails or the like. A floor unit comprising floor panels offset relative to and underlying the wall panels can also be provided.

ABSTRACT A wall unit and a roof unit each com of 1,469,321 10/1923Kramer....... 1,826,378 10/1931 Bayley......... 3,139,958

826,146 6/1957 Primary Examiner-Henry C. Sutherland AssistantExaminer-Henry E. Raduazo Attorney-Clarence A. OBrien and Harvey B.Jacob-' son 1 16 Miller Street, Auburn, Ala. 36830 Jan. 4, 1971INTERLOCKING PANEL SHELTER [76] Inventor: Reginald I. Vachon,

[52] US. [51] Int.Cl. [58] Field of 52/262, 82, 81, 71, 70, 237, 92

[56] References Cited United States Patent 1191 Vachon [22] Filed:

[21:] Appl.No.: 103,651

edge interconnected panels join joining strips or hinges. Each roofpanel overlies and is engaged with portions of two subjacent wallpanels, and each wall panel underlies and is engaged with portions oftwo overlying roof panels whereby an inter- 1 locked structure isprovided utilizing, if so desired, no screws, bolts, nails orthe like. Afloor unit comprising floor panels offset relative to and underlying thewall panels can also be provided.

4Clains,3lDrawingFigures v t u u u u P m n m m m u s hr m mmm ems n mmwuwuumw 0o 3 3 0o 6 4 9 4 6 524392 .539 6 0o 9 O .l 3 l 8 06 33688223332 ll/l 2,256,050 9/1941 Hansen...... Dl99,066 9/1964 PATENTEDAPR 1m a; 727. 355

SHUT 2 BF 6 6 4 Regina/d Vac/ran 62 IN VENTOR.

PATENTED PR 1 71975 SHEET BF 6 mm 0v 9 VA v I d W m u m. n R mINTERLOCKING PANEL SHELTER The invention herein is concerned with newand useful improvements in collapsible or prefabricated shelters, andmore particularly relates to a shelter formed of wall, roof and floorpanels interlocked by a plurality of joining strips and connectingchannels in a manner whereby a highly rigid shelter can be simply andeasily erected, utilizing no additional mechanical fasteners, if sodesired, in a minimum amount of time and without necessitating anyparticular skill.

The shelter of the instant invention is also particularly adapted to becollapsed into a small compact package for storage or transportationpurposes, the various components being for the most part,interchangeable and requiring no elaborate procedure in either thedisassembly or subsequent assembly of the structure.

When assembled, the structure presents substantially a weather-tightshelter which can, as desired, incorporate both doors and windows.

Structurally, the shelter includes a wall unit formed of a plurality ofvertical wall panels edge interconnected by grooved battens so as toform an enclosure. The wall unit is in turn overlaid by the roof unitand, if desired, underlaid by afloor unit, each of which consists of aplurality of gores or generally triangularly shaped panels also edgeinterconnected by grooved joining strips or battens. The roof and floorpanels are so oriented as to respectively overlie and underlie andengage with a pair of adjacent wall panels. At the same time, each wallpanel engages and is connected to both a pair of overlying roof panelsand underlying floor panels whereby a positive panel retaining interlockis provided completely about the shelter. If so desired, the wall unit,roof unit and floor can have the respective panels thereof hingeinterconnected for a facilitating of the assembly and disassembly of theshelter. Likewise, so as to provide a more compact collapsed package,the individual panels can be formed of hinge interconnected sections.While it is contemplated that the shelter can be erected and stabilizedwithout requiring mechanical fasteners such as nails, screws, bolts orthe like, the selective use of such fasteners can be used so as tofurther rigidify the structure. For exam ple, should high windconditions exist, pins or bolts may be utilized to anchor the roof unit.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an erected shelter constructed inaccordance with the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken sub stantially on aplane passing along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on aplane passing along line 3-3 of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a perspective view ofthe erected wall unit; FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional detailtaken substantially on a plane passing along line 5-5 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken substantially on aplane passing along line 6-6 in FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view ofa roof panel or gore; FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a wall panel;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of shelter wherein thepanels are hinge engaged;

FIG. 10 illustrates the manner of collapsing the hinge engaged wallpanels;

FIG. 11 illustrates the roof unit of FIG. 9 in the collapsed position;

FIGS. 12 through 15 illustrate hinged sectional panels;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional detail illustrating a modified form of roofto wall unit connector;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the detail of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another variation of the shelter;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a planepassing along line 19-19 in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a planepassing along line 20-20 in FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a planepassing along line 21-21 in FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a planepassing along line 22-22 in FIG. 18;

FIG. 23 is an elevational view of one of the wall panels of the shelterof FIG. 8 with two battens associated therewith;

FIG. 24 is a plan view of the basic shelter with a portion of the roofand wall units broken away so as to illustrate the floor unit;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional detail taken substantially on the planepassing along line 25-25 in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a planepassing along line 26-26 in FIG. 24 illustrating one manner ofaccommodating the wall panels on the floor panels;

FIG. 27 illustrates a variation of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a partial horizontal cross-sectional view illustrating thewall units engaged on the slab floor;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a planepassing along line 29-29 in FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 illustrates the accommodation of the wall units to aconventional wooden floor; and

FIG. 31 illustrates the use of a channel as a further means foraccommodating the lower edges of the wall units.

Referring now more specifically to the. drawings, reference numeral 30is used to generally designate the shelter comprising the instantinvention. This shelter basically includes a wall unit 32 and a roofunit 34.

The wall unit 32, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, is formed of a pluralityof vertically orientatable flat panels 36 angularly related to eachother so as to form a multi-sided enclosure. The wall unit 36 canincorporate appropriate doors, windows and the like, as desired, notefor example the door 38 provided in one of the wall panels illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 4. Elongated grooved battens or joining strips 40 areutilized in joining the vertical edges of each pair of adjacent wallpanels 36, each of these battens 40 normally extending along the fullheight of the edges to be joined. The engagement between the battens 40and panels 36 is effected by the provision of longitudinal grooves 42within the opposed edges of each batten 40 with such grooves closelyreceiving the edge portions of the adjacent panels 36. These grooves 42are so angled, as will be readily appreciated, as to provide for theformation of a complete enclosure on the assembly of a predeterminednumber of wall panels 36. As an example, it will be noted that theillustrated shelter is octagonal in shape, utilizing eight panels andeight angle forming battens 40. While not deemed essential to the basicstability of the shelter 30, should additional rigidity be desired inthe wall unit, such as for example in areas wherein high winds can beexpected, knockout pins or the like 44 can be utilized, as illustratedin FIG. 6. Such pins 44 will extend through the battens 40 along thegroove edges thereof and through aligned apertures 46 provided in thewall panels 36. As will be noted from FIG. 8, provision for the pinsecuring of the wall battens 40 will normally occur at the lower portionof the wall panels 36. Finally, it will be noted that the upper edge ofeach panel 36 is centrally peaked, tapering gradually upward from theopposed side edges thereof.

The roof unit 34 is formed of a series of triangular panels or gores 48corresponding in number to the wall panels 36. The roof panels 48 arepositioned in edge to edge relation with each other over the assembledwall unit 32 and extend inwardly and upwardly to a common peak 50. Theroof panels 48 are edge connected by elongated grooved battens 52,either with or without additional locking pins or screws as desired. Atypical cross-section through a pair of batten joined roof panels 48would be similar to the cross-sectional detail of FIG. 6.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 7 in particular, the opposed side edgesof each roof panel 48 can have an elongated recessed central portion 54along a major portion of the length thereof for the accommodation of thecorresponding batten 52. In this manner, the batten 52 will stop shortof the peaked upper portion of the roof unit 34 and the lower portion ofthe roof unit which overlies and engages the wall unit 32 as shall bedescribed presently. The edge recesses 54 will be sufficient so as toaccommodate the central portion of the corresponding batten whileallowing for a substantially edge to edge engagement between theunrecessed portions of a pair of adjoining roof panel side edges.Utilizing this particular construction, the peak portion of the roofunit 34 will normally be finished by the mounting of an appropriate cap56 thereon. Alternative to the use of foreshortened battens 52 andrecessed roof panel edges, full length battens can be provided, assuggested in the variation of FIG. 18, in which event the upper ends ofthe battens will be beveled so as to internest, and the underlying lowerportions of the battens, or the peaked portions of the underlying wallpanels 36, notched for mutual accommodation.

It is a particularly significant feature of the invention that each roofpanel 38 overlie and interconnect to the upper edge portions of twosubjacent wall panels 36. By the same token, each wall panel 36 is toengage with portions of two adjacent overlying roof panels 48. In thismanner, even without the use of mechanical fasteners, such as screws,bolts or the like, a highly stable interlocking relationship will beprovided between the various components. Incidentally, it will beappreciated that each of the panels, whether wall or roof, overlaps theassociated panels to the longitudinal midpoint thereof.

Each of the roof panels 48 engages those portions of the upper edges ofthe two subjacent panels along the full length over the overlaid portionfrom the center of one wall panel 36 to the center of the other wallpanel 36. The inclination of the upper edges of the wall panels 36' isso related to the angular orientation of the roof panels 48 as to insurethis desired edge to surface engagement. The engagement between the roofpanels 48 and'the underlying wall panels 36 is effected by means of achannel 58 affixed to the undersurface of each roof panel 48 andfollowing the configuration of the upper edges of the subjacent wallpanels 36 for a reception thereof as illustrated in FIG. 5. As desired,either the wall battens 40 can terminate short of the upper ends of thewall panel for the accommodation of the depending connecting channels58, or the connecting channels 58 can be notched, at the centralportions thereof, for accommodation of the wall battens 40. These roofpanel mounted channels 58, while preferably screwed or otherwisepermanently affixed to the roof panels 48, can be in the nature of adetachable element as suggested in FIGS. 16 and 17. Noting thesefigures, the channel or channel member, herein designated by referencenumeral 58', can be in the nature of a single element, rather than thetwo part channel defining construction of FIG. 5, and will incorporate adownwardly directed panel receiving groove 60 and an upwardly directedT-shaped slot 62 for the reception of the T-head of an appropriaterotatable fastener 64. The fastener 64, noting FIG. 17, has the T- headthereof introduced through an elongated slot 66 in the roof panel 48 andis subsequently rotated to locking engagement within the slot 62 in anobvious manner. It is contemplated that the weight of the roof unit 34will easily retain the channel received upper end portions of the wallpanels and effectively tie the structure together. However, ifcircumstances deem an additional interlock desirable, appropriate pins,bolts or screws can also be extended through the wall receiving channels58 and 58. Such a construction will be generally in accord with thatshown in the cross-sectional detail of FIG. 21 and appropriate holes 68can be preformed along the upper edge portion of each of the panels 36for this purpose.

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate a variation of the basic shelter 30,designated by reference numeral 70. In the shelter 70, both the roofunit 72 and the wall unit 74 have the panels 76 and 78 respectivelyinterconnected by elongated or piano-type hinges 80. These hinges 80,with regard to each of the units 72 and 74, are alternatively positionedto the opposite sides of the panels so as to enable an accordion typefolding thereof as suggested in FIGS. 10 and 11. In this manner both theerection and collapsing of the shelter 70 will be greatly expedited.Further, maintaining the components interconnected upon a collapsing ofthe shelter 70 facilitates the handling thereof. The use of detachableroof and wall panel interconnecting channels 58 would be of particularvalue in this variation of the invention so as to enable, upon removalof the channels 58', a complete flat collapsing of the roof panels 76.Incidentally, the free edges of the end panels of both of the units 72and 74 can, in the erected construction, be ultimately connected by oneof the previously described battens so as to complete the enclosure.

Depending upon storage facilities and space limitations, the individualroof and wall panels can in themselves be collapsible. For example, asillustrated in FIGS. 12 through 15, each panel can be formed in twosections hinged together either longitudinally ortransversely. Thesepanels, when combined in a completed structure and both batten andchannel joined to. adjacent panels, assume a sufficient degree ofrigidity so as to insure a stable structure. FIGS. 18-23 illustrate avariation of the structure, designated by reference numeral 82, whereinthe wall panels 84 and the roof panels 86 are slightly arcuate so as todefine a cylindrical wall unit 88 and a conical roof unit 90. As will beappreciated from FIGS. 19 and 20, the connecting battens 92 are alsogenerally arcuate, at least insofar as the arrangement of the panelreceiving grooves therein, so as to conform to and combine with the wallpanels 84 and roof panels 86 in forming the desired arcuateconfiguration. In view of the cylindrical and conical configurations ofthe wall and roof units 88 and 90 respectively, a close conforming ofthe circular upper edge of the wall unit to the undersurface of the roofunit will be effected. The desired offsetting of the roof panels 86relative to the wall panels 84 so as to achieve the overlapping of eachpanel with two adjacent panels of the other unit is also of primarysignificance in regard to this form of the invention. Accordingly, eachwall panel 84, centrally within the upper edge thereof, is provided witha positioning notch 94 which receives a V-shaped rib 96 provided in theoverlying roof batten 92. Note FIG. 20 in particular for this feature.If so desired, an enlarged recess can be provided in the upper edge ofeach wall panel 84 for the accommodation of the entire lower portion ofthe corresponding roof batten 92 for a direct engagement of the roofpanels 86 with the upper edges of the wall panels 84, in which case theslight space 98, also indicated in FIG. 20, between the parallel upperwall unit edge and the overlying undersurface of the roof unit will notbe present. In any event, the space 98 is to a large part completelyenclosed by the depending roof panel mounted channels 100 which receivethe upper edge portions of the wall panels. Were channels of the typedesignated by reference numeral 58' in FIG. 16 utilized rather than thechannels 100 illustrated in FIG. 21, this slight spacing 98 would beutilized to accommodate the portion of the channel interconnecting thetwo side sections which retain the wall panels therebetween.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing, the shelter can be consideredcomplete when utilizing only the wall unit and roof unit. However, if sodesired, a floor unit 102 can also be utilized.

The floor unit 102, other than being flat as opposed to peaked, will besimilar to the basic, roof unit 34, incorporating a plurality oftriangular panels or gores 104 edge connected by elongated groovedbattens 106. The floor panels will be orientated so as to correspond inposition with the associated roof panels 48. In other words, the floorpanels 104 are offset relative to the wall panels 36 so as to underlieand interconnect two superjacent wall panels. Each wall panel 36, by thesame token, overlying and engaging two subjacent floor panels 104. Thisbasic construction has been illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25.

FIG. 26 details one manner of securing the wall panels 36 to theunderlying floor panels 104, such consisting of the provision of a wallpanel receiving recess 108 within the floor panels 104 for the receptionof the lower edge portions of the wall panels 36. It will of course beappreciated that the battens 40 associated with the wall panels willterminate above the corresponding floor panels 104. By the same token,the recess 108 will normally extend through the floor panel connectingbattensl06 for an accommodation of the joint spanning wall panels 36.

FIG. 27 illustrates an alternate means for engaging the wall panels 36with the floor panels 104. In this form, an upwardly directed pocket 110is provided for the lower edge portions of the wall panels 36 by a pairof laterally spaced upwardly projecting parallel ribs' 112. In thisvariation, as will be appreciated from FIG. 27, retaining pins 114 canbe extended through the parallel ribs 112 and the portions of the wallpanels 36 received therebetween.

With reference to FIGS. 28-31, attention is directed to the fact that aone-piece floor slab, or for that matter a conventional floor, can alsobe modified so as to more specifically accommodate the shelter. FIGS. 29and 30 illustrate the provision of a wall panel seating groove or pocket116 in both a concrete slab floor and a wooden floor. The recess 116will of course follow the contour of the building and provide in effectfor a locking of the lower portions of the wall panels to the floor.

FIG. 31 illustrates a variation wherein the shelter is accommodated to aone-piece floor area through the utilization of channel strips 118providing wall panel receiving upwardly directed pockets 120. Suchstrips 118 can be bolted or otherwise secured to the floor. Further, ifso desired, the strips 1118 can be utilized in conjunction with aconcrete floor, being embedded therein so as to define a preformed slot.

It will be appreciated that any appropriate materials can be used, suchas wood, aluminum, or the like. The panels should of course possess acertain degree of structural stability so as to be self-sustaining. Thevarious battens and channels in turn are particularly adapted to beformed of extruded aluminum.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a highly uniquestructure has been defined. This structure is readily assemblable from apiluralityof wall, roof and, if so desired, floor panels interconnectedby means of elongated joining strips in a manner whereby, under normalcircumstances, a structurally stable construction is defined withoutresort to nails, screws, or the like.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An interlocking panel shelter comprising a wall unit and a roof unit,said wall unit comprising a plurality of vertically'positionable wallpanels and means for joining adjacent ones of the wall panels to definean area bounding wall, said roof unit comprising a plurality of roofpanels positionable in overlying relation to said wall panels and meansfor joining adjacent ones of said roof panels, each roof panel beingpositionable in overlying relation to a portion of a pair of subjacentwall panels, each wall panel being positionable in un derlying relationto a portion of a pair of superjacent roof panels, and means for joiningthe roof and wall panels to the subjacent and superjacent pairs ofpanels respectively, said means for joining the roof and wall panels tothe subjacent and superjacent pairs of panels respectively comprisingdownwardly directed channels fixed to and depending from the roof panelsfor a snug sliding reception of the upper edge portions of thecorresponding wall panels therein, the means for joining the adjacentwall panels and the means for joining the adjacent roof panelscomprising elongated joining strips incorporating grooves along theopposed longitudinal edges thereof for the reception of the adjoiningedges of the corresponding panels, said wall panels being angularlyrelated to each other, said roof panels being triangular and, whenassembled, defining a generally conical roof, the upper edge of eachwall panel being configured so as to parallel and closely underlie theoverlying portions of the roof panels, an equal number of wall panelsand roof panels being provided, each roof panel overlying approximatelyone half of each of the underlying wall panels with each wall panel, bythe same token, underlying approximately one half of each of theoverlying roof panels, each wall panel being centrally peaked, taperinggradually upward from the opposed vertical side edges thereof, the taperof each panel upper edge conforming to the inclination of the associatedroof panels so as to lie closely thereagainst.

2. The shelter of claim 1 wherein the roof and wall panel joiningdownwardly directed channels follow the line of the two underlying halfpanels and thereby define a pair of channel sections diverging from acentral point corresponding to the vertical meeting edges of the twoassociated wall panels.

3. The shelter of claim 2 including a floor comprising a plurality offloor panels positionable in underlying relation to said wall panels,each floor panel underlying a pair of adjacent wall panels, and means oneach floor panel for engaging and retaining the overlying portions ofthe corresponding pair of wall panels.

4. An interlocking panel shelter comprising a wall unit and a roof unit,said wall unit comprising a plurality of vertically positionable wallpanels and means for joining adjacent ones of the wall panels to definean area bounding wall, said roof unit comprising a plurality of roofpanels positionable in overlying relation to said wall panels and meansfor joining adjacent ones of said roof panels, each roof panel beingpositionable in overlying relation to a portion of a pair of subjacentwall panels, each wall panel being positionable in underlying relationto a portion of a pair of superjacent roof panels, and means for joiningthe roof and wall panels to the subjacent and superjacent pairs ofpanels respectively, said wall panels being angularly related to eachother, said roof panels being triangular and, when assembled, defining agenerally conical roof, the upper edge of each wall panel beingconfigured so as to parallel and closely underlie the overlying portionsof the roof panels, an equal number of wall panels and roof panels beingprovided, each roof panel overlying approximately one half of each ofthe underlying wall panels with each wall panel by the same token,underylng approximately one half of each of the overlying roof panels,each wall panel being centrally peaked, tapering gradually upward fromthe opposed vertical side edges thereof, the taper of each panel upperedge conforming to the inclination of the associated roof panels so asto lie closely thereagainst.

1. An interlocking panel shelter comprising a wall unit and a roof unit,said wall unit comprising a plurality of vertically positionable wallpanels and means for joining adjacent ones of the wall panels to definean area bounding wall, said roof unit comprising a plurality of roofpanels positionable in overlying relation to said wall panels and meansfor joining adjacent ones of said roof panels, each roof panel beingpositionable in overlying relation to a portion of a pair of subjacentwall panels, each wall panel being positionable in underlying relationto a portion of a pair of superjacent roof panels, and means for joiningthe roof and wall panels to the subjacent and superjacent pairs ofpanels respectively, said means for joining the roof and wall panels tothe subjacent and superjacent pairs of panels respectively comprisingdownwardly directed channels fixed to and depending from the roof panelsfor a snug sliding reception of the upper edge portions of thecorresponding wall panels therein, the means for joining the adjacentwall panels and the means for joining the adjacent roof panelscomprising elongated joining strips incorporating grooves along theopposed longitudinal edges thereof for the reception of the adjoiningedges of the corresponding panels, said wall panels being angularlyrelated to each other, said roof panels being triangular and, whenassembled, defining a generally conical roof, the upper edge of eachwall panel being configured so as to parallel and closely underlie theoverlying portions of the roof panels, an equal number of wall panelsand roof panels being provided, each roof panel overlying approximatelyone half of each of the underlying wall panels with each wall panel, bythe same token, underlying approximately one half of each of theoverlying roof panels, each wall panel being centrally peaked, taperinggradually upward from the opposed vertical side edges thereof, the taperof each panel upper edge conforming to the inclination of the associatedroof panels so as to lie closely thereagainst.
 2. The shelter of claim 1wherein the roof and wall panel joining downwardly directed channelsfollow the line of the two underlying half panels and thereby define apair of channel sections diverging from a central point corresponding tothe vertical meeting edges of the two associated wall panels.
 3. Theshelter of claim 2 including a floor comprising a plurality of floorpanels positionable in underlying relation to said wall panels, eachfloor panel underlying a pair of adjacent wall panels, and means oN eachfloor panel for engaging and retaining the overlying portions of thecorresponding pair of wall panels.
 4. An interlocking panel sheltercomprising a wall unit and a roof unit, said wall unit comprising aplurality of vertically positionable wall panels and means for joiningadjacent ones of the wall panels to define an area bounding wall, saidroof unit comprising a plurality of roof panels positionable inoverlying relation to said wall panels and means for joining adjacentones of said roof panels, each roof panel being positionable inoverlying relation to a portion of a pair of subjacent wall panels, eachwall panel being positionable in underlying relation to a portion of apair of superjacent roof panels, and means for joining the roof and wallpanels to the subjacent and superjacent pairs of panels respectively,said wall panels being angularly related to each other, said roof panelsbeing triangular and, when assembled, defining a generally conical roof,the upper edge of each wall panel being configured so as to parallel andclosely underlie the overlying portions of the roof panels, an equalnumber of wall panels and roof panels being provided, each roof paneloverlying approximately one half of each of the underlying wall panelswith each wall panel, by the same token, underlying approximately onehalf of each of the overlying roof panels, each wall panel beingcentrally peaked, tapering gradually upward from the opposed verticalside edges thereof, the taper of each panel upper edge conforming to theinclination of the associated roof panels so as to lie closelythereagainst.